Theodicy and End-of-Life Care

Acknowledgments The section on Islamic perspective is contributed by information provided by Imranali Panjwani, Tutor in Theology & Religious Studies, King's College London.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Machine learning-based assessment of deforestation, successional stages, and carbon stocks in a tropical montane forest using radar and optical satellite imagery

Tropical montane forests (TMFs) play a crucial role in providing essential ecosystem services. However, these environments are increasingly threatened by deforestation and degradation. In the Philippines’ TMFs, the extent of deforestation, successional stages, and carbon stocks remain poorly explored. Hence, this study focuses on the Province of Benguet, Philippines, with three specific objectives: 1) to demarcate deforestation using the fusion of Sentinel-1,-2, and biophysical data through a traditional classifier, machine (ML) and deep learning (DL) algorithms; 2) to map the successional stages in different vegetation types through Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI), Sentinel products and biophysical data with ML; and, 3) to estimate the above-ground biomass (AGB) and above-ground carbon (AGC) through optical, radar, biophysical data and ML. In addition to the field assessments conducted from December 2023 to January 2024, a systematic review of spaceborne remote sensing applications in global TMFs reinforced the significance of this study. The following results are the highlights of this study: 1) generally, RS investigations on TMFs are concentrated in the Americas (62%), with optical sensors (85.76%) being used more frequently than SAR (12.70%); 2) the fusion of Sentinel-1-2 and biophysical data with U-Net DL algorithm effectively demarcated the deforestation (Overall Accuracy (OA) = 86.77%, Kappa Index (KI) = 78.89); 3) elevation emerged as a significant predictor of vegetation type distribution, with Random Forest’s (RF) top 10 features yielding the best predictive performance (OA = 84.22%, KI = 81.19%); and, 4) among the various algorithms utilized for AGB assessment, RF demonstrated the highest accuracy (r = 0.982; RMSE = 53.980 Mgha -1). Above-ground carbon density varied from 0 to 434.94 Mgha-1. This study underscores the urgency of formulating conservation and sustainable management policies. It also emphasizes the significance of Benguet’s TMF in the context of carbon sequestration initiatives like REDD+

Corrigendum to “Existing land use and extent of lead (Pb) contamination in the grazing food chain of the closed Carmona sanitary landfill in the Philippines”

In the original published version of this article, the first statement in section 2.5 (Data analysis) incorrectly read "A paired sample T-test was conducted […]". This was incorrect and should have read “An independent sample t-Test was conducted […]”. Additionally, to align with the accurate t-Test analysis that was used in this study, several other statements present in the manuscript were incorrect and should be updated: in section 3.3 (Soil contamination level) the sentence reading “The t-Test: paired two samples for means analysis showed […]” should read “The independent sample t-Test analysis showed […]”; in section 3.4 (Plant, insect, and chicken's liver contamination level) the sentence reading “The t-Test: paired two samples for means analysis revealed that […]” should read “The independent sample t-Test analysis revealed that […]”. Finally, in table 3, the value “2.50” in column “t stat," row “Liver (Sample 3)” should instead have read “5.5”. The authors apologise for this mistake. This correction does not, in any way, compromise the findings of the study, either in terms of the methodology, results, or interpretations drawn from the data therein. Both the HTML and PDF versions of the article have been updated to correct the error

Existing land use and extent of lead (Pb) contamination in the grazing food chain of the closed Carmona sanitary landfill in the Philippines

The sanitary landfill located in Carmona, Cavite, Philippines operated from April 30, 1993, to March 31, 1998, is now closed and abandoned. Abandoning sanitary landfill without proper remediation and rehabilitation efforts pose risks to both humans and the environment. At present, only grasses and shrubs thrive in the area, and no rehabilitation efforts were made in this area. The closed landfill is nonfunctional except to the nearby inhabitants who use the abundant vegetation for grazing of animals such as cows, goats, and chicken. The possibility of heavy metal accumulation in the area is expected but is yet to determine. Likewise, its utilization into productive use remains a question. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the existing land use, extent of lead (Pb) contamination in the soil and the grazing food chain of the area and, recommend the most practical and appropriate use of the place. Understanding the dangers it can bring to nearby communities can be used as a reference for putting forward plans and policies to protect people's welfare. Although the soil has an average of 1.36 ppm that is within the standard set by the US EPA, the level of Pb observed in plants, insects and chicken's liver are unsafe as compared to the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for Pb set by the US FDA. The soil can be converted into non-play areas such as a recreational park, but the planting of edible crops and fruit-bearing trees is not recommended

Analisis Faktor-Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Kepatuhan Wajib Pajak Membayar Pajak Hotel, Pajak Restoran Dan Pajak Hiburan Di Kota Jayapura

This study aims to analyze the factors that affect the compliance of taxpayers paying hotel tax, restaurant tax, and entertainment tax in Jayapura City. This study uses primary data obtained by disseminating questionnaires online due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Indonesia and globally to 100 respondents. The data analysis method used is by structure equation model (SEM) approach with Partial Least Square (PLS) method. The sampling method used is Convenience Sampling which is a sample technique based on the availability of elements and the ease of obtaining them. Samples are taken or selected because they are in the right place and time. The result of this study is awareness of paying taxes, knowledge and understanding of taxation, tax perception affects taxpayer compliance

Jinn, psychiatry and contested notions of misfortune among East London Bangladeshis

This study examines understandings of misfortune among east London Bangladeshis, particularly with respect to the role of jinn spirits. It reports on the findings of ethnographic interviews among 40 members of this community. Appeal to jinn explanations is commonplace at times of psychological disturbance and unexplained physical symptoms. Resort to traditional healers is frequent. These explanations are contested by different groups in the community. The findings are examined within the context of a discourse on tradition and modernity with particular emphasis on Islam and modernity. Copyright 2008 SAGE Publications. All rights reserved. Not for commercial use or unauthorized distribution

Perceptions of consent, permission structures and approaches to the community: a rapid ethical assessment performed in North West Cameroon

BACKGROUND Understanding local contextual factors is important when conducting international collaborative studies in low-income country settings. Rapid ethical assessment (a brief qualitative intervention designed to map the ethical terrain of a research setting prior to recruitment of participants), has been used in a range of research-naïve settings. We used rapid ethical assessment to explore ethical issues and challenges associated with approaching communities and gaining informed consent in North West Cameroon. METHODS This qualitative study was carried out in two health districts in the North West Region of Cameroon between February and April 2012. Eleven focus group discussions (with a total of 107 participants) were carried out among adult community members, while 72 in-depth interviews included health workers, non-government organisation staff and local community leaders. Data were collected in English and pidgin, translated where necessary into English, transcribed and coded following themes. RESULTS Many community members had some understanding of informed consent, probably through exposure to agricultural research in the past. Participants described a centralised permission-giving structure in their communities, though there was evidence of some subversion of these structures by the educated young and by women. Several acceptable routes for approaching the communities were outlined, all including the health centre and the Fon (traditional leader). The importance of time spent in sensitizing the community and explaining information was stressed. CONCLUSIONS Respondents held relatively sophisticated understanding of consent and were able to outline the structures of permission-giving in the community. Although the structures are unique to these communities, the role of certain trusted groups is common to several other communities in Kenya and Ethiopia explored using similar techniques. The information gained through Rapid Ethical Assessment will form an important guide for future studies in North West Cameroon

Impact of plant density of pea intercropped with flax under different nitrogen fertilizer levels on crop productivity

A field experiment was established to analyze the effect of different plant densities of pea (12.5, 25.0, 37.5 and 50.0% of the recommended plant density "RPD") intercropped with 100% flax under nitrogen fertilization levels (60, 85 and 110 kg N/ha) on yield of both crops, their competitive relationships and economic evaluation. A Split-plot design with three replications was used, where the main-plots were assigned to nitrogen fertilization levels and the sub-plots for intercropping patterns. Application of 85 kg N/ha significantly increased all studied characters of both crops. Sowing flax with pea with 12.5%  from the RPD resulted in highest values of flax stem diameter, straw yield/ha, number of capsules/plant, seeds/plant, seed index and seed yield/ha. For pea higher values were also observed for number of leaves, branches and pods/plants, pod length and diameter, green pod weight and number of seeds/pod. The highest values of total green pods yield/ha of pea was produced when flax is sown with the RPD and pea with 37.5% RPD. It can be concluded that the maximum LER, RCC, total income and economic return were obtained from sowing flax with the RPD and pea with 37.5% RPD and fertilizing with 85 kg N/ha. Keywords: Flax, pea, intercropping system, plant densities, nitrogen fertilizer levels, competitive relationship

Selenium and Nano-Selenium Biofortification for Human Health

Selenium is an essential micronutrient required for the health of humans and lower plants, but its importance for higher plants is still being investigated. The biological functions of Se related to human health revolve around its presence in 25 known selenoproteins (e.g., selenocysteine or the 21st amino acid). Humans may receive their required Se through plant uptake of soil Se, foods enriched in Se, or Se dietary supplements. Selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) have been applied to biofortified foods and feeds. Due to low toxicity and high e ciency, Se-NPs are used in applications such as cancer therapy and nano-medicines. Selenium and nano-selenium may be able to support and enhance the productivity of cultivated plants and animals under stressful conditions because they are antimicrobial and anti-carcinogenic agents, with antioxidant capacity and immune-modulatory efficacy. Thus, nano-selenium could be inserted in the feeds of fish and livestock to improvise stress resilience and productivity. This review offers new insights in Se and Se-NPs biofortification for edible plants and farm animals under stressful environments. Further, extensive research on Se-NPs is required to identify possible adverse effects on humans and their cytotoxicity.Peer Reviewe